National Hockey League (NHL) - TORONTO - There are go-to guys in every National Hockey League dressing room. Players who attract a crowd of reporters after practices, not necessarily because of what they do during the games, or in between them, but because of what they say. Go-to guys are good talkers. They speak in complete sentences, seldom drop into cliche, give context, possess a good sense of humour and provide the writers and the television types with the coveted quotes they need to build a story. Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)
(National Post article by Joe O'Connor) READ MORE

National Hockey League (NHL) - Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) has heard the rumblings, the talk about how he'll be seduced by the money in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League and return to his homeland at the end of the season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The 23-year-old said that's been the speculation in the Russian newspapers. (Thestar.com article by Paul Hunter) READ MORE

National Hockey League (NHL) - Rookie Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) has been re-assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL after spending the first half of the season with the NHL club. It is unclear how long the young prospect will be in the AHL, but he has been getting consistent ice time in the NHL. He has registered seven goals and seven assists thus far this season.

June and July 2008 have been two busy months for Russian prospects. Many skated in North Americans development camps, some have changed teams, being or not at the centre of a controversial move, others are “simply” training hard for the upcoming season.
Many players belong to the first group. As written earlier in our website, Dmitri Kosmachev (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Maxim Mayorov (Columbus Blue Jackets) skated with Columbus Blue Jackets, Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) and Viktor Tikhonov (Phoenix Coyotes) with the Phoenix Coyotes, Nikolai Lemtyugov (St. Louis Blues) with St. Louis, Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) with the Chicago Blackhawks, Ruslan Bashkirov (Ottawa Senators), Ilya Zubov (Ottawa Senators) and Alexander Nikulin (Ottawa Senators) with Ottawa, Evgeni Grachev (New York Rangers) and Artem Anisimov (New York Rangers) with the New York Rangers, Semen Varlamov (Washington Capitals) and Nikita Kashirsky – a Russian player who spent the last seasons playing USA College hockey - in Washington, with Kugryshev in the stands, Fedor Fedorov (New Jersey Devils) with the New Jersey Devils, Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) with Toronto, Anton Khudobin (Minnesota Wild) with the Minnesota Wild, Vyacheslav Voinov (Los Angeles Kings) and Andrei Loktionov (Los Angeles Kings) with Los Angeles. The list might even grow as Montreal Canadiens are yet to release their rosters. (Exclusive article by Alessandro Seren Rosso for RussianProspects.com) READ MORE

KING CITY, Ont. -- There were three aluminum baseball bats to choose from. Mikhail Stefanovich picked the one closest to his feet, tested the weight, put it down and grabbed another. The Belarusian strapped a batting helmet over his mane of shaggy brown hair and stepped to the plate. But something was wrong. Horribly wrong. Stefanovich is a fluid skater on the ice. He was a 32-goal man for the Quebec Remparts in 2007-08. But his batting grip was abysmal. (National Post article by Joe O’Connor about Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Mikhail Stefanovich and Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)) READ MORE

KING CITY, Ont. -- There were three aluminum baseball bats to choose from. Mikhail Stefanovich picked the one closest to his feet, tested the weight, put it down and grabbed another. The Belarusian strapped a batting helmet over his mane of shaggy brown hair and stepped to the plate. But something was wrong. Horribly wrong. Stefanovich is a fluid skater on the ice. He was a 32-goal man for the Quebec Remparts in 2007-08. But his batting grip was abysmal. (National Post article by Joe O’Connor about Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Mikhail Stefanovich and Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)) READ MORE

Super League - MAGNITOGORSK – After Metallurg suffered the elimination against Lokomotiv in the semifinals, General Manager Gennadi Velichkin has declared to Soviet Sport magazine that Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) already has agreed to terms with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, thus going there for the next season. Velichkin has though added that the doors for him remain open in case of a change of mind. Metallurg’s GM has also confirmed the interest of the team in signing top scorer of Metallurg Novokuznetsk Viktor Alexandrov (St. Louis Blues), exciting winger from Kazakhstan who scored twenty goals with twenty assists on a mediocre team in the last season.
Other than that, by Velichkin’s words Canadian goalkeeper Travis Scott, and Czech forwards Jan Marek and Jaroslav Kudrna, are all likely to be back next season, and that the team will be strengthened for the Victoria Cup hunt.

Super League - After being down 2-1 in the series, with a big-time performance Metallurg Magnitogorsk won the series with Dynamo Moscow with an impressive 5-0 victory, being able thus to win both decisive games they had to played so far. Still being without Czech forward Kudrna and young defender Rinat Ibragimov, the home team managed to beat Dynamo, who took part in this game without Vitaly Yachmenev (dislocated shoulder), Zabolotnev and others, plus having Fedor Fedorov (New York Rangers) and Troschinsky suffering injuries in the last two matches. Both teams as expected started goalkeepers Travis Scott and Vitaly Eremeev. Metallurg’s Canadian goalkeeper has now delivered 130 consecutive shut-out minutes.

The key of the game is the way Metallurg played in the first 15 minutes. First they pressured Dynamo in their own third with the third line and as a result they scored to get ahead with a scramble touch by Babenko. Then, at the fourteenth, after a good save by Scott on Fedor Fedorov (New York Rangers), the home team doubled the score as veteran Igor Korolev converted in with a soft backhander a rebound that came from a shot by Denis Platonov (Nashville Predators). Twenty seconds later a dart by Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) in the offensive zone brings Metallurg to the 3-0 lead. With a three goal advantage after the first twenty minutes the game was almost secured, but unfortunately a rough intervention by Giordano knocked out Vitaly Atyushov, and it’s still not clear the entity of his injury. The Canadian will be punished with a game misconduct.

After a rather quite second period, Metallurg stretches the advantage in the third period. After three minutes Bulin skates into the offensive zone and with a beautiful blue-line slapshot beats Eremeev in the top-right corner. Midway through the period young Anton Glovatsky skated past a defender helped by a great pick by Yuri Babenko, then with a really accurate wristshot has put the puck in Eremeev’s stick side for the 5-0 mark.

In the semifinals Metallurg Magnitogorsk will face Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, while regular season winners of Salavat Yulajev Ufa will challenge Ak Bars Kazan.

Super League - Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) has been suspended for two playoff games for a hit from behind on defenseman Denis Grot (Vancouver Canucks) during Metallurg’s round of 16 playoff series against HC Neftkhimik. He has already returned to the lineup and will play for his club in the quarterfinals.

Super League - Metallurg Magnitogorsk forward Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) led his team to gold medals in the Russian championship last season by scoring 37 goals in 69 goals and setting a new club scoring record. In the summer, he was supposed to make his move to the National Hockey League, but continued his career in Russia as he decided that it’s too early to take over the NHL at the age of 21. The overseas debut of one of the most promising players in the country is not far away however, as the Toronto Maple Leafs are waiting for his arrival at the end of the season. “Novye Izvestia” talked to Kulemin and found out what influenced him to stay in Russia and that he doesn’t regret his decision.
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Super League - HC Ak Bars finally earned a resounding victory over HC Sibir with its top unit ( Alexei Morozov – Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) – Danis Zaripov) having a hadn in five of the club’s six tallies. Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) potted two tallies and added an assist in Metallurg’s loss to Salavat Yulayev. Lada won its 6th game in a row behind a hattrick by Anton Krysanov (Phoenix Coyotes). Yuri Alexandrov (Boston Bruins) scored his first tally of the season for Severstal, but it was Trubachev who put in a beauty of a goal in overtime to lead the Cherepovets based club to victory. Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) tied for the Super League scoring lead, scoring his 11th goal in a losing overtime effort against HC Vityaz. READ MORE

Super League - For the sixth round of the Superleague we took a close look at promising Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) (Toronto Maple Leafs). We evaluated the power forward's game with a complete shift-by-shift log, a technique that permits to have a very deep report of his actual play. The young right wing is used by head coach Fedor Kanareikin on the first line, playing as with Czech players Jan Marek and Jaroslav Kudrna. This line was instrumental in last year's Metallurg triumph in the Russian Super League. Let’s see how he does against Severstal
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Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) (Toronto Maple Leafs) wore this jersey #15 jersey during the EuroTour Finals, the final round of the EuroTour international competition. The jersey is manufactured my Lutch. It features a sewed on nameplate, as well as a sewed on Russian Hockey Federation patch at the bottom of the jersey that guaranties it’s authenticity as a game worn jersey. READ MORE

Russian Super League - Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) was Magnitogorsk’s best sniper last season and chose to remain with the club for another year, so to help it earn the title of the European champion and also to repeat last year’s success in the Super League. He spoke about this and many other things in his interview with Magnitka Sport press agency. From RussianProspects.com: This is the first half of the interview, with the second half being available to RussianProspects readers in the coming weeks.READ MORE

Russian Super League - Find out more about the changes that took place within last season's top four clubs in the Super League. Some such as Avangard Omsk and Metallurg Magnitogorsk have strived to stay on the same trek. Others, such as the league's favorite Ak Bars Kazan that is known for the high flying Morozov - Zinovjev - Zaripov line, coped with some significant changes. Finally CSKA has significantly strengthened the roster despite losing a couple of talented players. READ MORE

Russian Super League - Toronto Maple Leafs today signed young forward Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) to a three year rookie contract. Toronto’s second round selection in 2006 is not expected to join the team this summer, but the young forward has proven himself once again by skating on Russia’s national team and becoming one of the top snipers in Russia. This past summer he was rewarded by a handsome contract from HC Metallurg and will skate for the team during the 2007-08 season.

Russian Super League - HC Metallurg stormed back into the series after a sub-par game 2 with a resounding 4:1 victory against the incumbent champions HC Ak Bars. Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) tied another scoring record, this time reaching back more than 10 years to Alexander Koreshkin, who also scored 36 goals during the 1994-95 season. Ak Bars top line consisting of Alexei Morozov (Pittsburgh Penguins) – Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) – Danis Zaripov has not been impressive, and at times looked tired and out of place despite immense talent and ability. Defenseman Evgeni Varlamov was another hero of the game for HC Metallurg, scoring the club’s first two goals. READ MORE

Russian Super League - HC Metallurg (Magnitogorsk) edged Ak Bars (Kazan) in the first game of the best of five final series for the Super League Championship. The Magnitogorsk club accomplished this behind a strong performance from the its top two lines centered by Jan Marek and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes). Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) did most of the scoring, notching two of his club tallies. Kazan also had a hard time containing the Kaigorodov – Gusmanov tendem, as the two caused a lot of trouble for the 2006 champions. The final score was 5:2 in favor of Metallurg. Kulemin (2), Kaigorodov, Gusmanov and Kudrna scored for Metallurg, while Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) and Vladimir Vorobiev tallied for Kazan.

Russian Super League - As the Super League finals near, speculation has begun as to who will shine brighter, the perrenial Super League scoring champion and record breaker Alexei Morozov (Pittsburgh Penguins), or the up and coming 86 born Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs). The latter is a young forward recently drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and who has this season surpassed Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) in scoring. While Morozov has little to prove and is likely on his way back to the NHL, he will likely put together a strong showing at the tournament, leaving Russia on top.

Russian Super League - Forward Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) has reported that he will remain with HC Metallurg for the 2007-08 season. Reportedly, the contract is a one way deal that is worth six times of his own 2006-07 salary. The young forward is the highest scoring forward in HC Metallurg’s recent past, scoring 33 goals thus far this season. The Metallurg GM had the following to say about the young forward’s contract situation: We have reached a final agreement with Nikolai. Next year he will be with Metallurg. His agent was also present during the contract signing and if a year later the NHL will again show interest in Nikolai, we will respectfully let him go.

Russian Super League - HC CSKA lost badly to HC Ak Bars, scoring the two goals only in the last minutes of the game. Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers) performed well on defense, and also contributed on offense, quarterbacking the power play and scoring Kazan’s first goal. Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) scored the clinching goal for HC Metallurg, while Denis Platonov (Nashville Predators) and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) added the other tallies. All three are enjoying strong seasons, especially Platonov, who has surpassed his former linemate Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) in production for the year. READ MORE

Russian Super League - Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) stole the show in the hard fought contest between his HC Metallurg with HC Sibir, when he broke through two defensemen, put the goalie to the ice, and then managed to force the puck around the netminder while falling to the ice. Alexei Tereschenko (Dallas Stars) played very well for Ak Bars, aggressively attacking the opponent and driving towards the net. He scored once, but also almost scored again, but instead hit the post. A strong game from a talented young center. Former Montreal Canadiens goaltending prospect Vadim Tarasov (Montreal Canadiens) performed well for HC Salavat Yulayev, stopping 28 of CSKA’s 30 shots. He split regular season duties, but has come on strong as of late. READ MORE

Russian Super League - Vladimir Kryuchkov had the following to say in a 3/13/2007 interview with Olga
Romanek from Football/Hockey newspaper about Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)'s success and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes)'s return:
- Nikolai Kulemin - did he develop and break out thanks to you?
- V. Kryuchkov: Nikolai Kulemin grew up without depending on our efforts.
He scores the most goals. Recently, Toronot officials visited him. Most likely,
he will be leaving next season.
- In your opinion, should clubs try to keep Russian players?
- V. Kryuchkov: Stars on the level of Malkin and Kulemin can calmly leave,
not being afraid having to come back.
- Are you referring to Kaigorodov, who returned to you from Ottawa?
- V. Kryuchkov: It was difficult for Alexei to break out [in North America
- RP]. This is just such an example when a player plays team hockey. Kaigorodov
is a great conductor, who can make such a pass, that anyone would be jealous.
But, he needed more time to start playing there. But stars like Malkin and Kulemin
will not, in my opinion have to wait. They are leaving to take practically guarantied
spots.

Russian Super League - Talented 86 born forward Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) scored his club leading 27th goal of the season, leading HC Metallurg (Magnitogorsk) to victory. Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (New York Islanders) continued his scoring streak, adding a goal and an assist in the victory against HC MVD. Tampa Bay Lightning late round 2006 selection Denis Kazionov (Tampa Bay Lightning) finally scored his first goal of the season, capping off a disappointing sophomore Super League campaign. Vladislav Evseev (Boston Bruins) is another struggling prospect who has begun to get more ice time with HC Dynamo and also found the net after two years of struggles, scoring his first of the season. READ MORE

Russian Super League - Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) netted a hattrick for HC Metallurg, helping the club beat HC SKA. Kulemin now has 23 goals thus far this season and is one of the Super League’s leaders. Alexey Cherepanov (2007 NHL Entry Draft) did not score, but did assist on the highly productive Cherepanov READ MORE

Karjala Cup (EuroTour) - Detailed recap and scouting analysis of Russia's Karjala Cup victory over the Czech Republic. This game secured Russia's positon at the top of the EuroTour rankings and helped the team win the Karjala Cup. READ MORE

2006 NHL ENTRY DRAFTRank 2: #4 Ranking Comments:While a pleasant surprise to some, who first saw him at the U20 WJC, Kulemin is old news for those have watched him consistently earn ice time on the star studded Metallurg Magnitogorsk squad. Rank 3: #4 Ranking Comments:Nikolai Kulemin's stock has skyrocketed this season due to his success with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, as well as his performance on Russia's U20 national team at the U20 WJC. Nikolai Kulemin is an able third line work horse who works hard for every inch of the ice surface. He brings a physical edge to his team and a strong work ethic. He has shown a scoring touch, especially on the national team, but his scoring success will largely depend on his line mates. Remember, even NHL tough guy Chris Simon was a scoring threat with the Washington Capitals when paired with a capable center. His style will transfer well to the NHL and considering Kulemin's achievements on the international arena, including the World Championships squad in Latvia, he is one of the top Russians players eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry draft.

Talent Analysis:

Scout 1: Strong skater with an above average top speed...works very hard to get back into his zone...responsible defensively...drives hard towards the net and plays with a lot of intensity...has a solid frame, even though he is not overly big, he is physically built and plays bigger than his height...fights hard at the boards and in the corners... doesn’t avoid contact, in fact seems to look for it and bring the game to his opponents....not a very imaginative player, but makes solid, responsible decisions with the puck...works very hard in the corners and works well with his linemates, cycling the puck and making good decisions...possesses a very strong work ethic.
Scout 2: A typical work horse who works hard and gives it 100% at any place on the ice...skates well, but won’t blow away with his top speed...crashes the net and works hard in the corners...not a sniper and a lot of his scoring depends on his linemates...if he plays on the line with a player like Evgeni Malkin, he will have a lot of scoring chances and will deliver a lot of "working" goals off the rebounds in front of the net...however he can equally deliver very few points for the season, but still be a valuable power play-kill unit, checking line defensive player for his team...developed a lot during the 2005-06 season in the Russian Super League...has really benefited from being coached by former NHL coach Dave King in Magnitogorsk...does not possess a huge upside, but is a safe choice who will deliver well in the role described above, but will never become a top line forward in the NHL.

Back In Russia:

Nikolai Kulemin was born in Magnitogorsk, Russia and is the product of the Metallurg hockey system that has also produced other strong young prospects like Evgeny Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Dmitri Pestunov (Phoenix Coyotes). Unlike Evgeny Malkin, the young forward worked his way up through Metallurg’s system, delivering two strong campaigns with the club’s junior farm team before getting an opportunity to skate in the Super League during the 2005-06 season. Kulemin also skated for Russia’s 86 born U18 squad in several tournaments, including the 2004 U18 WJC. During the 2005-06 season, Kulemin made his Super League debut and while this young forward was expected to play a strictly supporting role on the deep Metallurg roster, he managed to make a lot of impact and earned significant minutes on the club’s third line, and spent some time skating with future Pittsburgh Penguins super star Evgeny Malkin. Kulemin primarily impressed with his work ethic, mature play and ability/willingness to play in traffic, fight against the boards and finally drive towards the net. The young forward further built on his breakout season by delivering a spectacular performance at the U20 WJC, where he scored several goals, harnessing his speed and drive towards the net.

NHL Outlook:

Kulemin was eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but it was unclear whether he elected not to be participate, or did not impress enough on the international arena to earn high grads from NHL scouts. The NHL